Vinton County High School Athletic Boosters April 2009 Meeting

The Vinton County High School Athletic Boosters met April 1 in the school staff cafetorium. The group discussed spring concessions, and plans for the annual 4th of July Celebration. The July event is the largest fundraiser of the year for the group of volunteer athletic supporters. Last year rain hampered many of the planned events and activities, reducing the amount of fund raised to aid the local teen athletes.

Plans for the 2009 three day event continue to take shape. The groups works nearly year around to organize the annual event. Fireworks will once again be among the highlights for the fourth of July weekend in Vinton County. A massive display will be viewable from the downtown area, with the best views of the show available from the old high school field, and Wyman Park. This event is free to the public, and administered by a professional pyrotechnic company, aided by members of the McArthur Volunteer Fire Department.

Information and registration packets for the annual Miss Vinton County and Little Miss Vinton County will be made available near the end of the school year. Mary Beth Guthrie, Aimee and Andee Caudill are once again donating their time to organize the event. Michelle Royster is spearheading the organization of the annual parade, will be distributing registration forms as the date for the event nears.

A pet parade was scheduled for the event last year, but was cancelled due to stormy weather. Plans to host such an event for this year's festival are currently being discussed. The annual baby contest, under the direction of Tami Collins will once again be an entertaining feature of the festival. Registration forms will be made available several weeks prior to the 4th of July Celebration.

Also discussed during the meeting was the group effort to organize a "Haunted Hills" event at the Vinton County Fairgrounds in October. The Boosters, Kiwanis Club of Vinton County, and the Fair Board will be jointly hosting the event, and sharing the proceeds raised during the multiple night showcase of screams and thrills. Kiwanis Board of Directors member, Jeff Thacker, and Club President, Bobby Dodrill have been working with the Boosters to develop a preliminary plan and work schedule. During the meeting, Dodrill requested the VCHS Boosters appoint a chair for the coordinating committee.

Andee Caudill and Mary Beth Guthrie will share the responsibilities jointly, and report back to the group. Thacker will be making the same request to the Fair Board at their upcoming meeting. Hayrides through the fairgrounds for older children and adults, a less scary Halloween activity for younger children, and concessions continue to be outlined for the event, as plans take shape for what is hoped to become an annual fall affair between the three civic organizations.

Varsity Football Coach, Nolan Yates updated the group on fundraisers his team has planned for later in the spring and summer. Yates also committed to organizing a football related activity during the annual 4th of July Celebration. All high school coaches are encouraged to develop a team fundraising activity, and assist with the annual three day summer event. Cross Country and Track Coach, Josh Kirkpatrick updated the group his team's overall current activities, and uniform needs. Junior Varsity Volleyball Coach, Tara Dodrill updated the group on a planned summer volleyball camp to be held at VCHS for all high school players in June.

After a lengthy and time consuming process, under the direction of Aimee Caudill, the VCHS Athletic Boosters have qualified for 501 3 C Charitable Organization Status. The mound of paperwork Caudill compiled with the assistance of Cotner and Cooley CPA, allows the groups to accept charitable and tax deductable donations.

A myriad of other perks encompass the much sought after designation, and will aid the group in it's efforts to raise funds for Vinton County athletes. Caudill, along with all organization officers deserve a pat on the back for not only meeting, but exceeding the stiff paperwork documentation of not only club actions, and bylaws, but the strict accounting of funds required by the government reviewing agencies.